Who are Charlie Kirk's family? Murdered star's devastated parents make rare appearance alongside Erika to face Tyler Robinson in court

By WILL POTTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:57, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 15:03, 7 July 2026 Charlie Kirk's devastated parents put on a united front as they confronted their son's killer for the first time in court.  Robert and Kathryn Kirk walked arm-in-arm into court in Provo, Utah, on Monday, to witness evidence being presented by prosecutors against their son's accused killer Tyler Robinson, 23.  The rarely-seen parents are set to be joined by Kirk's widow Erika each day for the week-long pre-trial hearings, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to go ahead with Robinson's murder trial.  Kirk's father Robert, a prominent architect who was involved in the construction of Trump Tower in New York City, was seen flashing a smile at supporters as he arrived at the first court appearance Monday.  However, Kathryn, a former mental health counselor, kept dark sunglasses over her face and clasped her husband's arm as she prepared to see evidence.  The grieving parents have remained out of the spotlight in the time since their son's death at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, while Erika took the helm at Kirk's political action organization, Turning Point USA.  In Monday's hearing, Kirk's parents and widow left the courtroom when prosecutors began presenting footage from the moment the conservative activist was shot dead in front of thousands.   Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf was seen flinching as he watched the footage, but he said he was barring the rest of the courtroom from seeing the video because Kirk's loved ones deserved 'respect and dignity.'  Charlie Kirk's parents Robert and Kathryn put on a united front as they confronted their son's killer for the first time in court in Provo, Utah, on Monday  Robert Kirk, a prominent architect, flashed a smile at supporters as he arrived arm-in-arm with Kirk's mother Kathryn, who kept sunglasses on as she prepared herself to face evidence in court Kirk's widow Erika wore all-black as she arrived at the courthouse on Monday to confront her husband's alleged assassin  It marked the first time Kirk's parents Robert and Kathryn saw Robinson in person, and the couple say they intend to appear at every one of Robinson's future court appearances.  Despite Kirk's status as a leader of the conservative movement in the US, the parents kept a low profile during their son's rise.  Robert was prominent in the construction business and owned his own architecture firm, and his resume included serving as a project architect manager on Trump Tower in Manhattan when it was built from 1979 to 1983. It is not known whether the elder Kirk ever personally met with Trump during the President's real estate days, which were decades before his son became one of his closest allies. In a 2018 profile of Kirk in the Chicago Tribune, it was said that Kirk had once described his parents as Republicans, 'but not particularly ardent ones.'  Although Kirk never shared images of his parents, he did post a photo of himself with his younger sister, Mary, at her high school graduation in 2014, before she became an art curator in Illinois. It is unclear if she will be attending future court hearings with the family, and she did not do so on Monday.  Charlie Kirk speaks to a crowd during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, moments before he was shot dead Robinson, seen in court at his preliminary hearing on Monday, could face the death penalty if convicted of murdering Kirk  Robinson's parents Matt and Amber also seen at the courthouse on Monday  Ahead of Robinson's preliminary hearings, Kirk's family released a statement thanking his fans for supporting them through the harrowing case. 'Charlie was a beloved husband, son, brother, friend, and father. Every court proceeding serves as a painful reminder of his death and the loss that has irrevocably impacted our lives and the lives of his children,' the statement said. 'We remain deeply grateful for the support, prayers, and kindness we have received. This outpouring has sustained us during the darkest days of our lives.' At the first hearing on Monday, Erika wore all-black as she arrived with Kirk's parents. The two young children she shared with Kirk were not present.  Donald Trump Jr. and his new wife, Bettina Anderson Trump, also made a surprise appearance at the courthouse. It's unclear if the couple will attend every day of the weeklong hearing.  Robinson is charged with aggravated murder in the September 10 assassination of Kirk, and prosecutors say they intend to seek the death penalty if he is convicted. The 23-year-old has not entered a plea in the case and defense attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.